Translucent decoration and sign



June V24, 1930.

l.; KATHE TRANSLUCENT DECORATION AND SIGN Filed Dec. 22; 1927 fum Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES LEO KATHE, 0F LAKEWOOD, OHIO TBAN SUCEN T DECORATION yANI) SIGN Application mea Deemb'er 22, 1927. serieuA No; 241,983.

This invention provides a novel and improved method of applying pictures or designs constituting a display to a sign or decorative base having translucent or transparent characteristics. A sign of this type is particularly effectiveunder certain conditions, inasmuch as the design carried thereby may be viewed from either side with equa-l results; this being true when the d elign is applied to only one side of the sign ase.

By availing of some material includin a cellulose compound, such as collodion, or the stock from which the sign body is made a surface that is readily sensitized is `provided. Such a sensitized surface is capable of functioning to receive and retain impressions from any picture or inscription Which may be projected thereon. One of the im,- portant features of my invention is the employment of a photographic process for projecting or inscribing designs or characters on the sensitized surface. After the surface has received the proper impressions it veloping process, whereby the image thereon will be brought out in such a manner that that portion of the sign base carrying the f image will retain its translucent characteristics, while the remainder of the base will have assumed an opaque condition.

Another-important object of this invention `is to provide a sign of the type above referred to which is capable of having colorcompounds as the binder or vehicle in thesolution. This coloring matter when aplied to the sign base in no Way detracts rom its translucent properties. p

Still another highly important feature of my invention is the incorporation into transl lucent signs or displays omeans for diffusing the light passing therethrough, whereby a unique and pleasing effect is o btained. This is achieved by covering one orbot-h .sides of the decorative base with a coating of glass o r crystal beads which, due to their refractory and reflecting properties,

may be developed by any well known de-y ing matter applied thereto. In carrying out l thoroughl dili'use the light passing throu h the trans ucent portions of the Sign,l

connection with the use of the crystal beads, it might be well to mention thata particularV feature of the invention isV the manner` in which these beads are applied to the surface of ,the base. Again7 I avail of a collodion solution as the adhesive which binds 'the beads to the body of the sign. l. As reviously mentioned, the use of this substance does not in any way detractk from the trans-y lucent properties of the display. Obviously any other desired translucent adhesive could be used for this purpose.

Other more detailed objects and -advanf tages will in part become apparent and in `part be hereinafter stated as the description of. the invention proceeds. For a complete understanding thereof reference. may be had to the following description and accompany 4ing drawings, in which:

Figure' l is a perspective of'a sign made made 1n accordance wlth this inventlon.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section showf ing the compositionl of the sign base.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section of the sign.

that I am not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, be-y causevarious modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice lWithin the scope ofthe -appended claim.

A sign or display made. in accordance with this invention comprises any suitable frame- Work A, and a sign or decorative base B. The material from which I prefer to make the main base B may be the so-called cel-ogl-ass. However, any transparent or translucent material including a cellulosecompound having 'properties of collodion may be availed of as the stock from'which the sign body is made. In thepresent instance the base B consists of a wire mesh or screen 1, which is covered with an acetone-cellulose compound. It might be Well to mention that I could just' aswell employ some textile or fabric in place of the wire mesh. "The 'i maybe ein loyed to brina i r.[lliis may be b'ought out in the ing cellulose is that a sensitizing emulsion may be readily applied thereto, to rovide a sensitized surface. I have found t at any of the si-lver halides, particularly silver bromide, affords an emulsion which' gives very desirable results.

Havin obtained a sensitizedsurface the sign or gures constituting the desired display may be inscribedthereon by any ap- 'fpropriate process. However, I prefer to employ a photographic process for this pur-v i pose-as it affords a fine definition `in the resulting sign. It is to be understood, how-- ever' that I am not to be limited .to this particular method of applying the picture to thesign base as stenciling processes have been -found to be very effective for work not -I .reiiring such line detail.

fter the sensitized surface has received the `impression of the design projected thereon* any appropriate developing process out the lmageor picture. j manner "of negative photographic plates I which .provide a dark background and a ight.' imager- In the presentinstance this vw1 ll`result-inproviding a display on the sign base which is translucent, While the re-` mainder of the base is. in an opaque state. Howeventhe converse may be obtained if desired. This is done by first projecting the sign on any 'appropriate .sensitized surface to afford a ne ative thereof, whereupon this' negative may availed of for projecting its image on the sign. The, display will then sign portion being opaque der .t ereoftranslucent. Y

' ing collodion ereto will retain such as lamp shades, screens,

.opaque and translucent have thecharacteristics of asilhouette, the` with the remain-;

portion, whereupon the sprinkling of the vbeads will cause them to adhere only to that described. This also applies to the binder for the crystal beads.

The invention herein described and claimed. is susceptible to arwide range of usage as it may be availed of in connection with any articles of the decorative or displaytype having translucent characteristics, and kindred products.

Having t-hus described my invention what I claim 'as new, ters Patent of ,the United States, is:

The method of making translucent articles of the class described, which consists in building up a base by filling in the spaces of an open mesh wovenfabrlc with a cellulose compound, sensitizing a surface of the and desire to secure by Letbase, inscribing adesign on the sensitized surface, treating the surface to develop portions in Vthe base, coating a side of the base with a-translucent adhesive, and applyin a diffusing medium to the 'base by embed ing` the same in the adhesive. Y

In testimony whereofI affix my signature.

. 'Y -QL'EOKATHE Coloring effects maybe obtained by ap- Y f-plylngappropriate paint solutions employ Y orlike cellulose compounds as n a `vehicle o r carrier. Asi n base with such This is done by first coating the surface or surfaces o the base' with anadhesive i collodion as its of, in accordance'- -with the needs of the particular.. occasion.4 When it is to be applied only to the translucent' l the sign the adhesive is applied portions of (preferably onecontainin major. constituent) an sprinkling thebeads or crystals thereover to'v plied only to the translucent pore slgn base', or to the whole there. Y

only to that haA 

